Chapter 13.2: Weekend Escape

(Rewritten)

The train raced along the coastline.
Blue water stretched endlessly beyond the windows.
Every few minutes...
Someone quietly admired the view.
Aiko wasn't quiet.
She pressed her face against the window.
"The ocean!"
"I can already see it!"
Kenji laughed.
"You've been saying that for the last five minutes."
"I know!"
"I'm appreciating it."
Shadow looked out the opposite window.
"...It's beautiful."
Reina smiled.
"It really is."
For a brief moment...
Nobody spoke.
The sound of the train rolling along the tracks was enough.
...
Almost thirty minutes later...
The train finally arrived.
Warm sea air greeted them the moment they stepped onto the platform.
The smell of salt filled the air.
The distant sound of waves echoed nearby.
Aiko stretched both arms into the sky.
"We're finally here!!"
Kenji leaned his neck toward Aiko.
"So..."
"Was this the place you wanted us?"
Aiko threw both hands into the air.
"YES!!"
She immediately grabbed everyone's wrists.
"No wasting time!"
"Move!"
...
The beach was already crowded.
Children built sandcastles.
Couples walked along the shoreline.
Families laughed beneath colorful umbrellas.
Friends played volleyball.
The atmosphere felt alive.
Reina quietly looked around.
"...It's been a long time."
Shadow noticed.
"You've been here before?"
"When I was younger."
"I don't remember much anymore."
"...Just little pieces."
Shadow nodded.
He didn't ask anything else.
Some memories...
Were better left untouched.
...
Aiko clapped loudly.
"Changing rooms!"
"Everyone go change!"
Kenji picked up his bag.
"Last one out buys lunch."
Before anyone could answer...
He sprinted toward the men's changing room.
"..."
"...He cheated."
Shadow sighed.
"He definitely cheated."
...
Inside the women's changing room...
Aiko had already finished changing.
She adjusted her ponytail while looking in the mirror.
Then she looked behind her.
"...Reina?"
No answer.
She peeked around the lockers.
Reina still stood there.
Fully dressed.
Holding her swimsuit.
"...You're still not changed."
Reina looked away.
"..."
"I don't know..."
"What if..."
"What if it looks weird?"
Aiko blinked.
"...Seriously?"
Reina quietly nodded.
"I almost didn't bring it."
Aiko slowly walked over.
She gently took the swimsuit from Reina's hands.
"You've been worrying about this all morning."
"..."
"Reina."
"What?"
"You look beautiful."
Reina blinked.
"..."
"...Huh?"
"I mean it."
"It's simple."
"It's cute."
"And it suits you."
Reina looked down.
"...Really?"
"Really."
Aiko smiled warmly.
"And besides..."
"If anyone stares..."
"They're the weird ones."
Reina laughed quietly.
"...Thanks."
"Now go change."
"I'll wait."
...
Several minutes later...
The changing room door slowly opened.
Reina stepped outside.
She wore a simple light-blue swimsuit.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing extravagant.
Just elegant.
She immediately folded her arms.
"..."
"...Don't laugh."
Aiko stared for several seconds.
Then smiled.
"I wasn't going to."
"...Really?"
"You look amazing."
Reina's cheeks immediately became pink.
"...Stop."
"I'm serious."
Reina looked away.
"...You're making this worse."
Aiko laughed.
"No."
"I'm making it better."
She grabbed Reina's hand.
"Come on."
"Before you hide inside again."
...
Outside...
Shadow and Kenji were already waiting.
Kenji wore dark swim shorts and sunglasses.
He looked surprisingly prepared.
Shadow wore a black rash guard over his swimwear.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Very Shadow.
Aiko walked out first.
"There they are."
Shadow turned toward them.
"So..."
He stopped.
Reina had stepped out behind Aiko.
For just a second...
He looked.
Reina noticed immediately.
Their eyes met.
"..."
Shadow quickly looked toward the ocean.
"...Sorry."
"..."
Reina's face immediately turned bright red.
"...It's okay..."
Neither of them knew what to say.
The silence lasted exactly three seconds.
Then...
Aiko slowly looked from one to the other.
"..."
"I definitely saw that."
Reina immediately protested.
"You saw nothing!"
Shadow quietly nodded.
"...Agreed."
Aiko laughed.
"Sure."
Kenji scratched his head.
"...Did I miss something?"
All three answered together.
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
"...I'm still confused."
...
Aiko suddenly pointed toward the ocean.
"LAST ONE IN BUYS ICE CREAM!"
She immediately ran.
Kenji chased after her.
"HEY!"
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!"
Reina laughed.
"...Come on."
Shadow nodded.
"...Okay."
Together...
They walked toward the sea.
The first wave reached their feet.
Cool.
Refreshing.
Reina smiled.
"It's colder than I expected."
Shadow nodded.
"...A little."
Before either of them could react—
Splash!
Cold seawater exploded between them.
Aiko stood several meters away...
Laughing uncontrollably.
"I GOT BOTH OF YOU!"
Kenji nearly fell over laughing.
Shadow looked down at his soaked shirt.
"..."
Without saying a word...
He calmly scooped up a handful of seawater.
Aiko's smile slowly disappeared.
"...Wait."
"...Shadow?"
He threw it.
Perfect accuracy.
Splash!
"AHHH!"
Aiko covered her face.
Kenji burst into laughter.
"You deserved that!"
"I wasn't ready!"
Reina laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance.
"...I wasn't expecting that."
Shadow blinked.
"...Neither was I."
Kenji immediately scooped up water.
"My turn!"
Within seconds...
All four were splashing each other again.
Laughter echoed across the shoreline.
Nearby families smiled as they watched the four university students acting like children.
For just a little while...
There were no missions.
No secrets.
No pasts to run from.
Only four friends...
Enjoying the ocean together.